Perceived Influence of Family Planning Education on Maternal Health among Reproductive-Aged Women in Ijebu Zone of Ogun State Nigeria

Abstract

The health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period is maternal health. This study examined the influence of family planning and maternal health education on reproductive-aged women’s health in Ijebu zone of Ogun state, Nigeria. The population of the study includes all reproductive-aged women who have accessed and used family planning and maternal health care services in Ijebu zone of Ogun State. This study was a descriptive survey. The instrument used was self-structured. Four health centres were randomly selected for the study, while 300 participants were purposively selected for the study. Chi-square (X2) was the main statistical tool used for the analysis. All hypotheses formulated were rejected at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The findings of this study show that the influence of family planning and maternal health care /education on reproductive-aged women’s health in Ijebu zone of Ogun state include lengthening the interval between pregnancies, reduce the number of high-risk pregnancies, promotes efficiency and cost-effectiveness of health services, and improve women’s lives and satisfaction with health services. Based on the findings of this study, it is therefore concluded that family planning and maternal health education will influence maternal mortality as well as promote maternal health and child care among married people in Ijebu zone of Ogun state if integrated. It is therefore recommended that maternal health education services should be carried out in the public through the media by both governmental and non-governmental organizations. Maternal healthcare and family planning should be integrated in the health centres.